Breast Cancer Medical Malpractice Lawsuits: Misdiagnosis Errors

Our Michigan medical malpractice lawyers represent cancer patients and their families in lawsuits involving the misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose cancer cases. This includes cases involving breast cancer. Victims of this medical malpractice do have legal rights under Michigan law.

Michigan Breast Cancer Statistics

Breast cancer is an increasingly common form of cancer that affects hundreds of thousands of women and their families each year. Additionally, tens of thousands of women die from breast cancer every year. One in ten women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. In 2013, there were close to 8,000 woman diagnosed with breast in Michigan and almost 1,500 deaths.

Despite the great familiarity doctors must have with the increasingly common disease, misdiagnosis or mistreatment of breast cancer is the cause of more medical malpractice claims than any other disease. With great public awareness of this disease, it is inexcusable for the medical community to fail to diagnose or misdiagnose the condition.

What are Common Reasons for Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis Cases?

Breast cancer responds well to early detection and early treatment. Unfortunately, too often doctors and other medical professionals fail to order tests, misdiagnose, and fail to treat breast cancer. Such errors can give rise to successful medical malpractice claims. Some of the common errors doctors make include:

Failure to identify an obvious lump during a breast exam

Failure to perform a breast exam while treating a patient for other reasons

Failure to arrange a mammogram, x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc

Failure to classify a tumor as malignant

Failure to evaluate properly test results when tests are performed

Failure to notify patient of test results

Failure to order future tests

Failure to recognize common symptoms

Many times, it is a combination of several of these reasons the leads to the delay in diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

What is Needed to Prove a Breast Cancer Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?

A medical error that results in a misdiagnosis or the failure to diagnose breast cancer can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit. The type of case depends on which medical provider or facility made the medical mistake and the type of error that led to the misdiagnosis of the condition. The defendant could be a physician who failed to send the patient to a specialist, a radiologist who misread a study, a lab that misinterpreted a biopsy, or even a medical office that failed to notify the patient of an abnormal result.

To win a breast cancer malpractice case, qualified medical experts must prove that an earlier diagnosis could and should have been made by the doctor. Medical experts, usually an oncologist or breast surgeon, must also give an opinion that earlier diagnosis and treatment would have resulted in a more favorable outcome.Many times, an early lumpectomy or other treatment could have prevented the spread of the cancer and provided an excellent outlook and prognosis for the patient.

How do I know if I can File a Breast Cancer Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?

The first step is to call our office and speak to our experienced medical malpractice lawyers. If our discussion determines that you have a case worth investigating, we will get all of the medical records and have them reviewed by our in house medical-legal team. We will then consult with nationally recognized medical experts to discuss the patient's care and treatment to determine whether medical negligence resulted in harm to the patient. If we can prove your case, we will file your lawsuit against the doctor and medical facility responsible for the negligent care. If are experts cannot support your case, we will explain those reasons to you.

How are Settlement Amounts Determined in Breast Cancer Malpractice Lawsuits?

Under Michigan law, a victim of medical negligence can seek several different types of compensation. Settlements can include compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, loss of enjoyment of life and other non-economic type claims. Additional compensation is available for loss of income, loss of future earnings, and medical costs and expenses.

In medical malpractice cases involving the death of a patient, surviving family members can file a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit. These lawsuits seek compensation for pain and suffering of the decedent until death, the loss of society and companionship of the loved one by family members, loss of income and support, medical expenses, and funeral and burial expenses.

Free Michigan Medical Malpractice Guide

If you would like more information about your rights in a medical malpractice case, you can order our FREE book "The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook" by clicking on the book title. We will send it out immediately along with other important information. We want you to be well informed about the law pertaining to medical malpractice in Michigan.

No Fees Unless You Win Your Case

We will represent you in your breast cancer malpractice case under our No Fee Promise, which means there are no legal fees whatsoever unless you receive a settlement. We even pay all of the case costs and expenses. There is absolutely nothing to lose, so contact us today to get started on your case.

Contact Our Michigan Breast Cancer Lawsuit Lawyers

If you or a loved one believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice involving breast cancer, you may be entitled to compensation under Michigan law. Call our law firm office today at (800) 606-1717 or fill out the Free Case Review Box on the side of this page. We will listen to your story and explain how we can help you.